“Coming!” Wylder shouted back. He winked at Theo. “Literally.”
Theo rolled his eyes. Wylder was ridiculous and Theo loved it.
* * * * *
Dario
When he’d been at university many years ago, Dario attended the hockey games with his friends because it had been fun and a way to get out of studying. Attending the games with Theo was a whole new experience.
Theo was so excited when Ethan hit the ice that he was up on his feet screaming and cheering for his friend. And every time that Ethan slammed another man into the glass. Like he’d just done, saving his team from being scored on.
Dario grinned as Theo settled back beside him. He’d grabbed a university sweatshirt for Theo to wear during the game and even though Theo swam in it, he fit right in with the rest of the students. It was the happiness that radiated off Theo that Dario would never forget. That had been missing from when Dario was a student.
Theo was so refreshing to be around.
As old as Dario was, with his vast experience in life, it wasn’t often that he got a reminder that the little things in life were what made the hard times worth it. Theo reminded him of that.
The horn blared, signaling the end of the first period, and Theo was back on his feet cheering for Ethan.
Alek and Wylder returned at the same time with their hands full of all kinds of junk food. He groaned, seeing that Wylder must have ordered one of everything on the menu as both menhad to juggle several trays. Dario had known that he should go and get the snacks since he’d had a good idea Wylder would go crazy.
One little comment from Theo and all of them went overboard spoiling the little shifter. Giving him things that he’d never had. Like snacks from the concession stand.
“Oh! You got nachos,” Theo said as Wylder passed him a plastic container.
“Extra cheese,” Wylder said.
Theo’s eyes brightened as he grinned.
Okay, Dario couldn’t blame Wylder or Alek. Especially when it came to little things like snacks that Theo had never been able to afford. He received a box of popcorn from Alek and nodded his thanks.
“They’re bringing out the cannon thing again!” Theo pointed toward the ice with a chip that was dripping cheese. Not that Theo noticed when cheese ended up all over his sweatshirt.
“I’ll get you a shirt!” Wylder shoved his hot dog and soda at Mitch before leaping to his feet and cheering louder than anyone else in the arena.
Using the napkins that Alek had thankfully grabbed, Dario wiped the front of Theo’s sweatshirt.
“Sorry,” Theo said, shoving a cheesy chip into his mouth.
“It’s fine, little one,” Dario replied. “Are you having fun?”
“This is so great,” Theo replied. “Thanks for bringing me.”
“Whenever you want,” Dario promised.
“Got it!” Wylder jumped and caught a ball of fabric before dropping back down in his seat with a grin. “Here you go, baby.” He tossed the shirt at Theo, who still had cheese all over him.
Dario snatched the shirt from the air and set it in his own lap. He would just keep that safe until later.
“Do you want some of my hot dog?” Wylder asked Alek, dancing the food in front of his face.
“Not even a little bit,” Alek deadpanned.
“Oh, come on! Here comes the plane,” Wylder teased, making some kind of sad engine sound.
“Boy,” Alek growled. “I’m about to toss you onto the ice.”
“Fine.” Wylder shrugged. “More for me.” He stuffed at least half the hot dog in his mouth.
